NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64

Leon John Koziolek, age 79, of Freeborn/Hartland, MN, died Sunday, December 30, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family.  He had given an anatomical gift to Rochester Mayo. A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, January 4th, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 3rd , 2013 from 4-7 p.m.  with a 7 p.m. Rosary Service at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Father Thomas Niehaus will officiate and interment will be in Freeborn Cemetery at a later date. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial services for Leslie A. Hagen of Joplin, MO, formerly of New Richland, MN, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. Pastor Paul Andree will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St Olaf Cemetery, New Richland.

Leslie died December 22, 2012 in his motor home while traveling from Joplin, MO, where he resided since his retirement.

Leslie was born in New Richland, MN, where he grew up. After serving in the US Army, he wed Gladys Schroeder from Owatonna and resided in Owatonna, MN, where he built a new home and had his own rendering truck. He then moved back to New Richland, MN, and purchased his father’s farm on the west side of New Richland. He farmed for several years and drove semi for Tipton Trucking and Shurson Trucking. He put his own truck on the pea viner, did custom corn picking but was most known for driving school bus which he loved for many years. He and his wife also owned an Old Time band called the “Hagen’s Merrymakers” and at one time owned a bar/supper club in Glenville, MN.

Thomas A. Ribbe, age 62, formerly of New Richland, died on Friday, December 28, 2012 at Hillcrest Health Care Center in Mankato.

Born on December 4, 1950 in Owatonna, Minnesota he was the son of Orrin and Inez (Jacobson) Ribbe.  He graduated from New Richland High School in 1969 and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam where he served until his honorable discharge in 1971.  He married Deanna Cooper on June 4, 1977 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca and they were later divorced.  He was employed as an over the road truck driver for several companies and later worked for Brown Printing Co. in Waseca for almost 20 years.  He later worked a variety of jobs until his health forced him to retire.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, helping his friend farm in the New Richland area, maps and geography, and WWII history.  He was a member of the American Legion in Waseca and New Richland and the Waseca VFW and the NRA.

Kathryn A. LeBeau, 75, of Blooming Prairie, died Friday, December 28, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital after a five-year diagnosis with Amyloidosis.  

She was born September 2, 1937 in Buckingham, IA the daughter of Herman and Frances (Wilkinson) Johns. In 1949 the family moved to the farm in Blooming Prairie. Kathryn graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1955. Richard “Dick” Cory and Kathryn were married on July 21, 1955. Kathryn completed cosmetology school and opened a salon in Medford. Kathryn married Robert “Bob” LeBeau on September 26, 1975. Kathryn worked at OTC for several years and then 25 years at NAPA distribution center, from which she retired. 

Walter Anderson peacefully left his earthly home on Friday, December 21, 2012 at the age of 87 years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 29, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Freeborn Congregational Church. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at a later time at the Freeborn Cemetery.

Walter Peter Anderson was born on June 13, 1925 to Andrew and Carrie (Nofksgar) Anderson near Matawan, MN. Walt was the sixth of seven children, growing up in the Freeborn and Matawan area. Walt spent his entire life in the Freeborn area.  He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Quinn, on July 3, 1945. Together they had one son, Terry.